US bans Kaspersky software

Using a Trump-era authority, the US Commerce Department has banned the sale of Kaspersky’s antivirus tools to new customers in the US, citing alleged threats to national security. This whole anti-Russia thing feels like the beginning of cold war 2.0. That crazy period we had from 1945-1991 where US and USSR were constantly in an arms race and trying to beat each other at the Olympics….its coming back.

We have been using Kaspersky software for over a decade and have had no virus infections on our PC’s during that period.

Here is what chat GPT think about another cold war emerging.

The question of whether a new Cold War is starting is a topic of significant debate among scholars, policymakers, and analysts. Here are some key points to consider:

Similarities to the Cold War

  1. Geopolitical Rivalries: The U.S. and China, as well as the U.S. and Russia, are engaged in intense geopolitical competitions. These rivalries are reminiscent of the U.S.-Soviet Union rivalry during the original Cold War.
  2. Military Build-Up: There has been a noticeable increase in military spending and modernization, particularly by China and Russia, alongside continued U.S. military advancements.
  3. Ideological Differences: There are stark ideological differences between the democratic and capitalist U.S. and the more authoritarian governments of China and Russia.
  4. Proxy Conflicts: Similar to Cold War-era proxy wars, there are modern conflicts where these major powers support opposing sides, such as in Syria and Ukraine.

Differences from the Cold War

  1. Economic Interdependence: Unlike the Cold War, where the U.S. and Soviet economies were largely separate, the U.S. and Chinese economies are deeply intertwined, with significant trade and investment links.
  2. Globalization and Technology: The world is far more interconnected today through globalization and digital technologies, creating a different context for competition.
  3. Multipolar World: The world is not strictly bipolar; other powers such as the European Union, India, and regional blocs play significant roles.
  4. International Institutions: There are more established international institutions today (e.g., WTO, IMF, UN) that can mediate conflicts and foster cooperation, though their effectiveness is often debated.

Current Context

  1. China’s Rise: China’s rapid economic and military rise has shifted the global balance of power, leading to strategic competition with the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region.
  2. Russia’s Assertiveness: Russia’s actions, including its annexation of Crimea and involvement in Eastern Ukraine, have led to renewed tensions with NATO and the U.S.
  3. Technological Competition: There is fierce competition in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, 5G, and quantum computing, which are seen as critical to future military and economic dominance.
  4. Cyber Warfare: Cyber attacks and information warfare have become prominent tools of statecraft, adding a new dimension to international competition.

Conclusion

While there are certainly elements that resemble the Cold War, the current global situation is more complex and multifaceted. It may be more accurate to describe the present state of international relations as a new era of great power competition rather than a simple repetition of the Cold War. The interdependencies and new challenges of today’s world require different strategies and approaches from those used during the 20th century.